Dykes' Bulldogs spent a good portion of 2012 in the AP Top 25 and finished the season 9-3. However, they did not get invited to a bowl game.

Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Dykes is expected to be the next coach at Cal. (AP Photo)

"I'm heartbroken for our 31 seniors that have given so much for Louisiana Tech," Dykes said via Twitter. "They deserve to finish their careers in a bowl game."

Dykes will be formally introduced at an on-campus news conference Thursday.

"Sonny Dykes is one of the brightest offensive minds in the country, running a high-octane style of football, one that I'm certain will allow our student-athletes to thrive and that our community will love on game day," Cal athletic director Sandy Barbour said in a statement. "However, it was far more than his history of a top-ranked offense and his proven success on the football field that solidified my decision; it was the way he described his responsibility to the University at large and his commitment to creating a climate of comprehensive excellence and success for his student-athletes."

Dykes will take over for Jeff Tedford, who went 82-57 in 11 seasons leading the Bears but won no more than seven games in each of the past three seasons.

Dykes also will benefit from a facilities upgrade that Tedford helped engineer. Cal opened its remodeled $321 million stadium this past season that is adjacent to a $150 million on-campus High Performance Center.

"Cal offers one of the best combinations of athletics and academics in the country, and a passionate fan base to match," Dykes said. "I'm looking forward bring our exciting and enthusiastic brand of football to Berkeley. Our objectives are numerous. In addition to winning football games, we will strive to develop the total student-athlete in the classroom, on the field of play and in the campus and local communities."

Dykes' style at Louisiana Tech should be a great fit for the Pac-12. Dykes has his own version of Blur Ball, Oregon's frenetic hurry-up offense. In fact, the Bulldogs finished No. 2 in the country in total offense, two spots higher than the Ducks.